I am looking to purchase a couple of shoulder holsters. One, a leather traditional CCW SH and the other a synthetic SH to wear when performing physical activity.

I am a fairly big guy with a 52" chest.

I would prefer tie-downs on both sides and an ammo carrier on the off side.

I have read this fellow's reviews:
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/shr.htm

Any experience you can share would be appreciated.

Leather SH
My three main options I have considered are Galco, El Paso Saddlery, & Aker. Alessi* & Del Fatti are out of the competition. Just too much money and too long a wait. I am open to other options.

MC & MC II hold the weapon horizontally, the Jackass at about a 45deg muzzle-up tilt, and the VHS is vertical.

Galco has a nice option to order a large version of the MC/MCII/VHS harness that will accommodate up to a 64" chest, whereas their standard harness is good to 52" chests. (The 52" limit seems to cut it too close for my tastes.)

I suspect that the 1911GM and the SW629 4" would require a vertical carry or angled carry to stay concealed, but am not certain. My worry is that the VHS is too big & bulky and the Jackass rig is kinda chintzy.

El Paso Saddlery (http://www.epsaddlery.com/)
EPS has the 200 (muzzle angled up 45deg) and the Spyder (horizontal).

Honestly, I usually avoid this purveyor of tacticool like the plague. But, their Serpa holster can be supplemented with a shoulder harness.

Survival Sheath Systems (http://www.survivalsheath.com/)

They look better made than BH and have the advantage of not being made by BH.

* In doing research, I learned that Lou Alessi has gone to his reward. A sad day for his family and a sad day for those who apprciate the best in gunleather.

Housezealot

May 28, 2009, 10:27 AM

For open carry? I have had bad luck trying to conceal shoulder holsters, I have tried several rigs and can never hide the bulge. I find galco rigs are nice for the money, in my experiance a cheap shoulder rig is never worth it.

johnwilliamson062

May 28, 2009, 10:54 AM

I don't like his argument for dismissal of rule #2.
The gun is not in static storage. When I take a rifle out of a case I always make sure the case is pointed in a safe direction. I believe anyone with much experience in training will tell you that there are a considerable number of NDs when holstering/un-holstering weapons.

Not saying I wouldn't wear one or that you shouldn't, but his dismissal of the issue as nonsense didn't impress me much. I would want to spend a lot of time practicing with a horizontal rig before using it.

jfruser

May 29, 2009, 11:06 AM

I don't like his argument for dismissal of rule #2.
The gun is not in static storage. When I take a rifle out of a case I always make sure the case is pointed in a safe direction. I believe anyone with much experience in training will tell you that there are a considerable number of NDs when holstering/un-holstering weapons.

Not saying I wouldn't wear one or that you shouldn't, but his dismissal of the issue as nonsense didn't impress me much. I would want to spend a lot of time practicing with a horizontal rig before using it.

I assume you are referring to:
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/shr.htm ?

Here is a guy who approaches the question a little more aggressively:
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=19680.msg369143#msg369143

At any rate, my question is not about the safety/appropriateness of shoulder holster carry. I have resolved that to my satisfaction, even if others have not.

americanworkmule

July 28, 2009, 10:05 PM

Howdy jfruser

I was wondering which shoulder holsters you got and if they're working out for you.

I was thinking of getting the Jackass at about a 45deg muzzle-up tilt

Thanks

Skan21

July 28, 2009, 10:14 PM

I was silly enough to buy a shoulder holster for range use. I never planned to conceal it, but I wanted one. But the last thing my buddies wanted was me flagging them with the muzzle when it was holstered. It was always cleared, of course, but everyone gets a bit nervous when they see a muzzle pointed at them. My holster is absolutely awesome, the Stylemaster from Mitch Rosen, But I wasted my money. Out of consideration for my friends, I don't take it to the range. If you had an XDm 9, I would give you my Stylemaster.